grass for diorama

Hey blitzer,
Check w/ Verlinden, they have static grass that comes in various shades. I know there is another company that does static grass but at the moment the name escapes me. Also you may want to check in the train department at your LHS as well.
This is the way I go about applying my static grass. When I go to lay down the static grass I first will lay down the dirt(good ol mother nature). This helps to make the grass look more realistic. Most important I apply the dirt and then the grass and not both at the same time(drying time in between).
Then I'll proceed w/ the static grass. To apply the dirt/grass to the base, I mix a mixture of water and white glue(Elmers glue).
From there I apply it to the areas that I fell that need it w/ a medium width brush(make sure it is not a good one).
I wait for about a half hour between processes and after it dries, I tip it over and get any excess dirt/grass off before I apply my next application.
If you do not like the actual colour of the grass you could do this also to inhance the realism. I'll take various shades of greens, browns, yellows and tans and start to do the dry brushing. These colours will vary depending on what season you want to represent.
Hopefully this will help you out. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at Falcon174th@aol.com or Falcon42177@yahoo.com
Flaps up, Mike

Check out the Woodland Scenics display at your local hobby store that carries train stuff. They have all kinds of product that will work.

And welcome to FSM blitzer.

QUOTE: Originally posted by shermanfreak Check out the Woodland Scenics display at your local hobby store that carries train stuff. They have all kinds of product that will work.

AH.. thats it, Woodland Scenics!! Hey Sherman, you've earnned yourself a gold star
Flaps up, Mike

hi butz, my question is after applying the mixed water/glue and after laying down the dirt how will the static grass will hold at the top of the dirt? you still brush it or just spray it with the mixed glue/water?

Jedi-mike: I don't advise glueing grass on dirt. It could come off rather easily. What I do is paint the base with earth like colors similar to the dirt color and glue grass on it. It is usually advisable to divide your base to identify where grass and where dirt will go and glue them separately. If it is unavoidable and you really have to put grass on top of th dirt. Let the glue under the dirt dry first before applying glue on top of the dirt to hold the grass.

Good luck.

Model railroad accesories tend to have plenty of grass.
There are a few options: Grass rolls to cover large areas quickly or the flock type.

You most likely will want the flock stuff, after I sprayed the flock onto the glue(White glue thinned with water) I normally run a static charged plastic ruler over the area to make the grass stand up (doesn't work for all types of flock though).
Agree that you don't want to glue grass on top of dirt, I also normally paint the surface first.
You can mix different types of flock to get your own color mix.

To get a good spread of the flock you can either use a wire mesh or get a small sqeeze bottle(Photo supplies) to squirt the flock onto the diorama, only will work with the fine one though.

When you dry brush the static grass wont that also scrub off the grass and leave bald spots on your base?

Static grass is the only way to go ( that I know of ). I use the method described by Butz, even on my old wargame models, it has always worked well for me. You just have to let the glue dry then remove any loose dirt before gluing down your static grass. I use PVA wood glue, it sticks well, dries clear and can be watered down if nessesary.

Good luck Blitzer, Wacky

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dwight Ta-ala Jedi-mike: I don't advise glueing grass on dirt. It could come off rather easily. What I do is paint the base with earth like colors similar to the dirt color and glue grass on it. It is usually advisable to divide your base to identify where grass and where dirt will go and glue them separately. If it is unavoidable and you really have to put grass on top of th dirt. Let the glue under the dirt dry first before applying glue on top of the dirt to hold the grass. Good luck.

Hey Dwight,
I have done this method a lot and the results are awesome. Yes you can put the grass on top of the dirt but you have to let the glue mixture cure for the dirt first. After that then you can apply the grass w/ the mixture.
The dirt may come up JUST a little but it wont show after the grass is on and the dry brushing has been done.
When I get to my own PC, I'll re post my 262 that I did which has both the dirt and grass method.

Hey jedi_mike8,
This is in regards to your question. Once the mixture has dried for the dirt, the dirt will not go anywhere.
Then I'll apply the mixture for the grass with the same brush that I used for the dirt(make sure you wash it though w/ water). Right after that I'll sprinkle on the grass where I see fit.
Well there may be some access dirt /grass that will come off but nothing major. Maybe I did not mention this but you can keep going over the dirt /grass until you see fit.
Below are three of my numorous models that I applied the method to. Hopefully this will help answer a few questions for y'all. If not you know where I can be found
The two middle pix are of my Me 262 which has not had the dry brush treatment.









Flaps up, Mike

Hey RAF20,
To answer your question is some what. As long as you let it dry the grass will not come off.
But you may get a few pieces of grass but nothing major. Another thing is when you go to dry brush, do not press hard go lightly over the grass.
This will also reduce the grass from coming up as well. Make sense?
Flaps up, Mike

Butz thanks for the reply it makes sence. I've only used static grass once and I'm not real happy with the color but haven't gotten around to painting it yet.